Protector Backpacks

FR SUPERTRAIL BOLIVIA 20l

Searching for the perfect trail is an essential part of the EVOC story. In the La Paz region in Bolivia we discovered one that’s truly worthy of the “Supertrail” label. We have dedicated the EVOC FR SUPERTRAIL BOLIVIA 20-litre protector backpack to this bike trail and have made it a limited edition. To be continued...

Specifications

20 l, 1300 g, 27 x 56 x 14 cm

LITESHIELD BACK PROTECTOR offers 95% shock absorption

Tool compartment (separate, wide swing-opening)

Accommodates hydration systems up to 3 l

FREE PROTECTOR CRASH REPLACEMENT

Item No.OLIVE 100111307-S 100111307-M/L 100111307-XL

Features

Read the whole Bolivia story

14.07.2003 The acquaintance with the freaky New Zealand guy was more than a fortunate coincidence. Getting to know Alistair was to be THE biggest stroke of luck on this trip: we met the New Zealander turned Bolivian resident while searching for information and a charter Jeep.

The passionate downhill biker who self-mockingly refers to himself as a former “disco king” runs the “Gravity Assisted Mountainbiking” bike agency in La Paz. And the name of the agency says it all – no prizes for guessing where Alistair’s bike trips will take you: downhill. And downhill it almost always is from anywhere in La Paz, the world’s highest capital city. Biking with Alistair is an unforgettable experience. Guaranteed. How about a downhill ride into the jungle from a height of 5300 m, for instance?

Our trip starts after loading the bikes onto the off-road vehicle. The dirt road, which Alistair grinningly refers to as the “highway”, winds up and up to an altitude of 4200 m. He shows us one of his favourite trails, and is visibly delighted about the fact that he can finally share his penchant for difficult single trails with “tourists”.

The tour takes us to La Paz’s very own local mountain, the 6088 m high, glaciated Potosi. Crossing the mountain is impossible, so we drive through and around the mountain massif. After a breakfast at the side of the road in the awakening La Paz, we travel across a wide, flat high valley. Many houses have been abandoned and have fallen into disrepair. The matgrass glows golden brown in the morning sun, and were it not for the frozen ice edges of the streams you’d be led to believe it was warm. But it is not much warmer inside the car either, as there is no heating, and the chattering of our teeth competes with the rattling of the wheels. Finally the tropical sun warms the air and our frozen, stiff limbs become mobile.

We reach a glacial lake that serves as a drinking water reservoir per bike. The bright morning light turns the landscape into the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. We can still cycle along the lake, but then we have to push. The sparse vegetation changes as we reach around 4600 m: instead of tufts of grass, bright green moss clumps are now predominant.

The altimeter in our heads is pounding with pain. The last hour of our ascent takes us through exposed talus terrain, and we regret having declined the offer by farmers of loading our bikes onto llamas. 4850 m altitude – the wind is cold, our breath is short and the path makes yet another sharp turn up. After the pass we have a rest, and are happy to have brought a cooker and outdoor meal packs. At an altitude of nearly 5000 m packet food is like haute cuisine. Even at this height, flowering plants and small shrubs grow in tropical high mountain ranges. Llamas and calves are grazing in the sun at 4500 m.

We set off again – for the three-hour downhill: it starts off flat over bristly meadows and becomes increasingly more taxing before it follows the steepening valley. Short retreating glaciers hover over the main valley on the shady side. The path consists of boulders and rocks, making it extremely thrilling yet tortuous. We reach the first inhabited areas at 4000 m, where the residents are farming the bottom of the valley. Flowers are even blooming in the gardens. The snow white lichens are contrasting specks in the stony grey rocks and brown fields and meadows.

The downhill ends at the new Llullini hydroelectric power plant, where the mighty Zongo valley and our valley become one. From here we take a minibus steep uphill again, in a bone-battering and axle-breaking ride across a rough, exposed gravel track with countless hairpin bends. Again and again we look down into precipices hundreds of metres deep whenever the back of our vehicle drifts along a sheer drop. I’m so petrified that I can’t even feel ill, which cannot be said for Thomas. When we finally reach the 4800 m high pass, we utter a deep sigh of relief – and Thomas throws up. The ice-covered, six-thousand metre Potosi glows in the red evening light. After a long jolty ride past beautiful lakes, we pass the notorious slum city of Alta, and reach La Paz in a shattered and exhausted state.

Check out the trail details

Technology

BACKPACK WITH INTEGRATED LITESHIELD BACK PROTECTOR

LITESHIELD BACK PROTECTOR

The EVOC LITESHIELD BACK PROTECTOR combines maximum protection against falls and a feather-light, highly effective construction with a great deal of flexibility. At the same time, it is completely impervious to temperature.

As is the case for most sport helmet manufacturers, we use an EPS construction, although ours is specifically adapted to back protection requirements by means of a segmented, multi-layer approach. Besides featuring excellent shock-absorbing properties, this protection concept enables fall damage to be identified immediately, so that the protector can be individually replaced.

CE-Norm EN 1621-2 + TÜV/GS

Materials and protective functions have been tested and certified by TÜV SÜD, according to EU norm 89/686/EEC for personal protective equipment (PPE), category 2. IN ADDITION, they have been certified in respect of product safety by TÜV/GS.

CE EN 1621-2 REQUIREMENTS

With a residual force value of only 9.75 kN, the EVOC LITESHIELD BACK PROTECTOR achieves a damping effect that is almost double that required. This means that about 95% of the impact force is absorbed! CE-Norm proved:

FREE LITESHIELD BACK PROTECTOR REPLACEMENT

EVOC now offers a special customer service with the free CRASH REPLACEMENT of all PROTECTOR BACKPACKS and PROTECTION WEAR products. Like helmets the LITESHIELD PROTECTOR is part of your personal protective equipment and protects vital parts of your body. It should be replaced after a serious crash.

LITESHIELD SYSTEM

The core component of the protector backpack system is the extra-wide, ergonomically shaped 01 neoprene hip belt with Velcro fastening and a large heavy-duty buckle. This system transfers the main load onto the hips, namely right to the body’s centre of gravity. At the same time, the ergonomically cut shoulder straps keep the backpack comfortably in the predefined position to guarantee perfect back protection.

The necessary proximity to the back of the 02 back protector is ensured through mesh elements, EVA foam with ventilation holes and a large, central ventilation channel for maximum air circulation.

Size Guide

When calculating your own torso length, measure from the top of your hip to your shoulder.

Size

Torso length A

HIP BELT AMOUNT

S

38 - 43

up to 99 cm (flex. to 105 cm)

M/L

44 - 50 cm

up to 109 cm (flex. to 115 cm)

XL

51 - 56 cm

up to 111 cm (flex. to 117 cm)

Material

3D Air MeshThis three dimensionally structured fabric with variable thread sizes (P75D*30D) offers the optimal properties in ventilation and cushioning for the covers of paddings and shoulder straps.

Air MeshAir Mesh is equipped with fine pores for excellent air circulation and does not absorb moisture. This makes it perfectly suited as a ventilating cover fabric for the back parts of our backpacks.

EVA TARPAULIN Mesh PVC freeParticularly tough and tear-resistant, waterproof material, which is transparent as an added bonus. Ideally suited for compartments in backpacks and bags that are exposed to high strain while also providing an excellent overview, for instance when it comes to the small parts compartment for tools.

N210 D Ripstop PU coatedThe demands for the perfect outer material of a backpack can be summed up in four characteristics: durable, abrasion resistant, water repellent and very light. This is exactly what our Nylon 210/D Ripstop offers. A double PU-coating of the lightweight nylon base provides moisture protection and wear resistance. A micro texture of filaments segments the basic fabric into tiny squares to prevent rips – hence the name Ripstop.

NeopreneWell known from water sports, neoprene also has ideal properties for high-end backpacks. Very strong and at the same time flexible over a wide temperature range, it works outstandingly for our hip belts. The material additionally offers great temperature regulation and shock absorbing qualities.

P600 D PU coatedA very durable fabric for high-abrasion areas, it is also tear-resistant and lightweight while absorbing almost no moisture. Combining these characteristics, it’s the perfect material for high-stress pockets or backpack base constructions.